buying new mustang- s197 reliable?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 439
From: Missouri
buying new mustang- s197 reliable?
I've recently become in need for another car. Unfortunately my '00 mustang gave out at 192k so thought I'd look for my second mustang. Since it'll be my daily driver i'll be looking for a v6 for the price. I found two 06s at 50k miles reasonably priced but have noticed common issues from online reviews 1. Shaking noisy dash 2. Rear end going out 3. Tranny problem, leaking. Could you all provide some insight on your experience with your mustangs? All the negative reviews on the new style version has me worried. And I after having my car I cannot bring myself to buy anything besides another mustang.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 439
From: Missouri
The technical service bulletins from Ford? Yeah I thought it strange that the rear end was going out and saw reviews saying the quality of it was bad so they've had theirs in the shop at 15k, however others say making it to 100k no problem. Since i'll be making payments I don't want to worry about having to pay for repairs anytime soon.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 439
From: Missouri
Found this: http://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/tsb.p...2006/d-MUSTANG
That seems to be a lot of problems, should I stay away from 06s because of all that?
That seems to be a lot of problems, should I stay away from 06s because of all that?
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,182
From: PA to KY ('07) to IL ('09) to MS ('10) to FL ('11)
Just because there's a TSB doesn't mean that every S197 suffers from it.
For the 05 and 06, the biggest issue (IMO) is the water leak TSB. In 07, Ford began bandaiding the problem but it never was properly fixed until about 08.
The S197's have come a long way in reliability compared to earlier Fords. But, it's a Ford and anyone with foreign car experience knows that, despite Ford's improvements, they still don't compare to most of the imports. But then, I'm used to and expect over 200,000 miles out of a car with nothing more than basic PM. Been there with 5 out of 5 Toyotas with #6 getting there.
For the 05 and 06, the biggest issue (IMO) is the water leak TSB. In 07, Ford began bandaiding the problem but it never was properly fixed until about 08.
The S197's have come a long way in reliability compared to earlier Fords. But, it's a Ford and anyone with foreign car experience knows that, despite Ford's improvements, they still don't compare to most of the imports. But then, I'm used to and expect over 200,000 miles out of a car with nothing more than basic PM. Been there with 5 out of 5 Toyotas with #6 getting there.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 439
From: Missouri
Just because there's a TSB doesn't mean that every S197 suffers from it.
For the 05 and 06, the biggest issue (IMO) is the water leak TSB. In 07, Ford began bandaiding the problem but it never was properly fixed until about 08.
The S197's have come a long way in reliability compared to earlier Fords. But, it's a Ford and anyone with foreign car experience knows that, despite Ford's improvements, they still don't compare to most of the imports. But then, I'm used to and expect over 200,000 miles out of a car with nothing more than basic PM. Been there with 5 out of 5 Toyotas with #6 getting there.
For the 05 and 06, the biggest issue (IMO) is the water leak TSB. In 07, Ford began bandaiding the problem but it never was properly fixed until about 08.
The S197's have come a long way in reliability compared to earlier Fords. But, it's a Ford and anyone with foreign car experience knows that, despite Ford's improvements, they still don't compare to most of the imports. But then, I'm used to and expect over 200,000 miles out of a car with nothing more than basic PM. Been there with 5 out of 5 Toyotas with #6 getting there.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,731
From: Houston, Texas
ive got an 08 with 35k on it and so far no problems and i drive it really hard. i think my synchros might be going out but thats most likely bc i tore them up when i first got it when i was 18 bc it was my 1st manual DD
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,182
From: PA to KY ('07) to IL ('09) to MS ('10) to FL ('11)
That's almost like saying "Yes, mine is reliable. It made it home from the dealer in 1 piece."
Reliability doesn't begin to show itself until 100,000 miles and begins to shine at 200,000 miles. Problems before 100,000 miles are a tragedy.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,882
From: Michigan again!
I have 164,000 on my odometer right now. Very few problems and nothing major - and my car is not treated easy. I had a 75 shot of nitrous on it for two racing seasons, put the supercharger on it at 90,000 miles.
The only problem I had with the original 7.5" rear end was a bent pinion from launching it on sticky drag radials - not really a factory issue since I was doing more to it and putting more to the rear wheels than the factory designed it for. I upgraded to the 8.8" rear end and no problems.
The only problem I had with the original 7.5" rear end was a bent pinion from launching it on sticky drag radials - not really a factory issue since I was doing more to it and putting more to the rear wheels than the factory designed it for. I upgraded to the 8.8" rear end and no problems.